Hibiscus plant named ‘Juno’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hibiscus  plant named ‘Juno’, characterized by its upright, mounding and uniform plant habit; freely branching habit; dense and bushy appearance; glossy dark green-colored leaves; uniformly, freely and continuous flowering habit; dark red-colored flower buds; single flowers with imbricate red purple-colored petals and dark red-colored centers; and excellent flower longevity.

Botanical designation: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.

Cultivar denomination: ‘JUNO’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscusplant, botanically known as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, and hereinafterreferred to by the name ‘Juno’.

The new Hibiscus plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Sabro, Denmark. The objective of thebreeding program is to create new healthy and durable Hibiscus plantswith attractive long-lasting flowers.

The new Hibiscus plant originated from a cross-pollination conducted bythe Inventor in October, 2007 in Sabro, Denmark of a proprietaryselection of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis identified as code numberGB-2006-1386, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with aproprietary selection of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis identified as codenumber GB 2006-5025, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. Thenew Hibiscus plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as aflowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in acontrolled greenhouse environment in Sabro, Denmark in August, 2008.

Asexual reproduction of the new Hibiscus plant by vegetative terminalcuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Sabro, Denmark sinceOctober, 2008 has shown that the unique features of this new Hibiscusplant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Hibiscus have not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may varysomewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperatureand light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Juno’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Juno’ as a new and distinct Hibiscus plant:

-   -   1. Upright, mounding and uniform plant habit.    -   2. Freely branching habit; dense and bushy appearance.    -   3. Glossy dark green-colored leaves.    -   4. Uniformly, freely and continuous flowering habit.    -   5. Dark red-colored flower buds.    -   6. Single flowers with imbricate red purple-colored petals and        dark red-colored centers.    -   7. Excellent flower longevity.

Plants of the new Hibiscus can be compared to plants of the femaleparent selection. Plants of the new Hibiscus differ primarily fromplants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hibiscus and the female parent selection        differ in flower color as plants of the female parent selection        have red-colored flowers.    -   2. Plants of the new Hibiscus and the female parent selection        differ in flower shaped as plants of the female parent selection        have funnelform flowers.    -   3. Flowers of plants of the new Hibiscus last about three to        five days longer than flowers of plants of the female parent        selection.

Plants of the new Hibiscus can be compared to plants of the male parentselection. Plants of the new Hibiscus differ primarily from plants ofthe male parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hibiscus and the male parent selection        differ in flower color as plants of the male parent selection        have apricot-colored flowers.    -   2. Plants of the new Hibiscus and the male parent selection        differ in flower shaped as plants of the male parent selection        have flowers with non-imbricate petals.    -   3. Flowers of plants of the new Hibiscus last about two to three        days longer than flowers of plants of the male parent selection.

Plants of the new Hibiscus can be compared to plants of the Hibiscusrosa-sinensis ‘Adonis’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,592. Inside-by-side comparisons conducted in Sabro, Denmark, plants of the newHibiscus differed from plants of ‘Adonis’ in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hibiscus had slightly smaller flowers than        plants of ‘Adonis’.    -   2. Plants of the new Hibiscus and ‘Adonis’ differed in flower        bud and flower color as plants of ‘Adonis’ had lighter-colored        flower buds and flowers.    -   3. Flowers of plants of the new Hibiscus lasted about two to        three days longer than flowers of plants of ‘Adonis’.

Plants of the new Hibiscus can be compared to plants of the Hibiscusrosa-sinensis ‘Boreas’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,618. Inside-by-side comparisons conducted in Sabro, Denmark, plants of the newHibiscus differed from plants of ‘Boreas’ in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hibiscus had slightly smaller flowers than        plants of ‘Boreas’.    -   2. Plants of the new Hibiscus and ‘Boreas’ differed in flower        color as plants of ‘Boreas’ had pale yellow-colored flowers.    -   3. Flowers of plants of the new Hibiscus lasted about one to two        days longer than flowers of plants of ‘Boreas’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Hibiscus plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Hibiscus plant.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a side perspective view of atypical flowering plant of ‘Juno’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of developingflower buds and an open flower of ‘Juno’.

The photograph on the third sheet is a close-up view of a dissectedflower of ‘Juno’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurementsand values describe plants grown during the summer in 13-cm containersin a glass-covered greenhouse in Sabro, Denmark and under culturalpractices typical of commercial Hibiscus production. During theproduction of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 25° C.,night temperatures ranged from 19° C. to 21° C. and light levels rangedfrom 40 to 50 klux. Plants were pinched one time about eight weeks afterplanting and were 24 weeks old when the photographs and the descriptionwere taken. In the description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Juno’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Hibiscus            rosa-sinensis identified as code number GB 2006-1386, not            patented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Proprietary selection of Hibiscus            rosa-sinensis identified as code number GB 2006-5025, not            patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By vegetative terminal cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About three weeks at            temperatures of 24° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About four weeks at            temperatures of 24° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About seven            weeks at temperatures of 24° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About eight            weeks at temperatures of 24° C.        -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fleshy; color, close            to 158A.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; dense.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Upright, mounding and uniform plant            habit; moderately vigorous growth habit.        -   Branching habit.—Freely branching habit with usually about            four to six lateral branches developing per plant; pinching            enhances lateral branch development; dense and bushy            appearance.        -   Plant height.—About 35 cm to 55 cm.        -   Plant diameter (area of spread).—About 30 cm to 50 cm.-   Lateral branch description:    -   -   Length.—About 5 cm to 25 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 3 mm to 7 mm.        -   Internode length.—About 1.5 cm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Texture.—Woody.        -   Color, developing.—Close to 147A.        -   Color, developed.—Close to 197A and N199A.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, single.        -   Length.—About 8 cm to 12 cm.        -   Width.—About 6 cm to 8 cm.        -   Shape.—Cordate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cordate.        -   Margin.—Crenate to dentate.        -   Texture, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous; leathery.        -   Texture, lower surface.—Smooth, mostly glabrous; young            leaves with scattered pubescence.        -   Luster, upper surface.—Glossy.        -   Luster, lower surface.—Matte.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate; arcuate.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 137A.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 146A. Fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to N189A; venation,            close to 147B. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close            to 147A; venation, close to 146C.        -   Petiole.—Length: About 4 cm to 6 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm.            Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Pubescent. Color, upper            surface: Close to 147A. Color, lower surface: Close to 143A.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower arrangement.—Single-type flowers arranged at terminal            leaf axils; uniform, continuous and freely flowering habit            with numerous flower buds and open flowers per plant at one            time; flowers face mostly upright to outwardly.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Natural flowering season.—Plants flower in the garden during            the spring and summer or during periods of warm weather; in            the greenhouse, plants can be flowered year-round; plants            begin flowering about 10 to 14 weeks after pinching.        -   Flower longevity.—Excellent flower longevity, flowers last            for about five to seven days on the plant; flowers            persistent.        -   Flower diameter.—About 12 cm to 15 cm.        -   Flower length (height).—About 8 cm to 9 cm.        -   Flower buds.—Length: About 5 cm to 7 cm. Diameter: About 2            cm to 3 cm. Shape: Obovate to elliptical. Color: Close to            53B to 53C and 1C.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Corolla consists of five petals in a            single whorl, fused at base; petals imbricate. Length: About            8 cm. Width: About 6 cm. Shape: Fan-shaped. Apex: Rounded.            Base: Attenuate, fused. Margin: Entire, undulate. Texture,            upper surface: Glabrous; rugose; velvety. Texture, lower            surface: Glabrous; rugose; satiny. Luster, upper surface:            Matte. Luster, lower surface: Slightly glossy. Color: When            opening, upper surface: Between 53A and 60A; towards the            base, close to 60A. When opening, lower surface: Close to            53B. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to N57A; where            petals overlap, close to 58C to 58D; towards the base, close            to 53A; venation, close to N57B; main color becoming closer            to 61C with development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close            to 53C; where petals overlap, close to 54A; venation, close            to 53C.        -   Sepals.—Appearance: Five sepals fused into a tubular            star-shaped calyx. Length: About 3 cm. Width: About 1.2 cm            to 1.5 cm. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Acuminate. Margin:            Entire. Texture, outer surface: Rugose, glabrous. Texture,            inner surface: Smooth, glabrous. Color, outer surface: Close            to 144A. Color, inner surface: Close to 143C.        -   Flower bracts or epicalyx.—Quantity per flower: About seven.            Length: About 2 cm. Width: About 5 mm to 6 mm. Shape:            Lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire. Texture, outer            surface: Rugose, pubescent. Texture, inner surface: Smooth,            glabrous. Color, outer and inner surfaces: Towards the base,            close to 141C; towards the apex, close to 139A.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 4 cm to 5 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm            to 4 mm. Strength: Strong. Texture: Sparsely pubescent.            Color: Close to 143A and 141B.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Staminal column length:            About 6 cm to 7 cm. Staminal column color: Close to 58B;            towards the apex, close to 58C; towards the base, close to            53A. Stamen quantity: About 100 per flower. Filament length:            About 2.5 mm to 3 mm. Filament color: Close to 58B. Anther            shape: Rounded to ovate. Anther length: About 1 mm to 2 mm.            Anther color: Close to 19A. Amount of pollen: Abundant.            Pollen grain color: Close to 17B. Gynoecium: Pistil length:            About 7 cm to 8 cm. Style length: About 6 cm to 7 cm. Style            texture: Smooth, waxy. Style color: Portion encased in            staminal column and just above the staminal column, close to            11D; color becoming closer to 53C to 53B to 53A towards the            base of the stigma pads. Stigma appearance: Five-parted,            rounded, pad-like; pubescent. Stigma color: Close to 53A.            Ovary color: Close to 1C.        -   Seeds and fruits.—Seed and fruit development have not been            observed on plants of the new Hibiscus.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Hibiscus have been observed    to have tolerate temperatures from about 1° C. to about 35° C.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Hibiscus have not been    observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Hibiscus    plants.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Hibiscus plant named ‘Juno’ asillustrated and described.